[ht228]

Hi, first time posting hopefully someone can help me out.

Until recently I was dual booting XP and Ubuntu, which was all good and fine. I'd turn the computer on, get presented with a screen and choose which OS I'd like to use. However, yesterday I decided to switch back exclusively to XP.

I used a windows partition editor to delete the linux partition, and then the ubuntu live cd to expand the xp partition to a bigger size.

Unfortunately, when I booted the computer, I was shown an error message, something like

grub error 17

now, I'm fairly positive that the xp partition is all good and well, but how do I tell the computer that I'd like it to boot directly into xp?

p.s. this might be inconsequential, but there's also a very small partition (1.4gbs) which contains something called linux-swap. should i delete this? the ubuntu live cd doesn't seem to want to let me

[hulkinator]

I hope you backed up your data before expanding that partition! Whenever you mess with partitions sizes, always back your things up because there's a respectable risk for drive corruption.

You can delete the linux-swap partition if you don't plan on using Linux anymore. Linux likes to use separate partitions for virtual memory, while Windows just uses a big file.

If you are removing the linux-swap partition, do that first (after backing up, of course!).

If you have a Windows XP CD, start with it and do a 'repair' install. At the console, enter the commands 'fixboot' and then 'fixmbr' (separately). Then reboot without the CD. This should restore your normal XP boot process.

[ht228]

Right, all the data's safe, I keep all the important data on an external hdd.

Loaded up Gparted on a boot cd, deleted the linux swap partition and only have the windows one left.

but still the same problem. Tried flagging the partition as 'boot' or with nothing next to it, and I'm still getting 'Grub error 17' message.

I'm wondering whether there's anyway to delete grub from this ubuntu live cd?

I don't have the boot cd for windows, its at home and I'm at away at university so I can't get hold of it.

[hulkinator]

Here's what you are looking for:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=622828

Good luck!